Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A slot machine comprises a main display device, a sub display device and a microcomputer. The microcomputer controls a gaming process, and outputs an image display signal to display image related to a game according to the gaming process on at least one of the main display device and the sub display device. When the microcomputer receives notification information from outside the slot machine, the microcomputer displays the received notification information an one of the main display device and the sub display device and then on the other one of the first display device and the second display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-30092, filed on Feb. 6, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine installed in various game arcades, such as a hotel, a casino and a game arcade only for a specific gaming machine, and particularly to a gaming machine having two or more display devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

There have been various types of gaming machines. For example, a gaming machine with a built-in display device has been known. A card gaming machine employs the built-in display device for displaying a card game, or subsidiarily employs the built-in display device for increasing a quality of the card game. A slot machine employs the built-in display device for displaying effect images during a slot game according to stop symbols of reels which are capable of rotating mechanically or a gaming mode to add seasoning to the slot game, or for displaying payout information or a game history.

A gaming machine, disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No. 2003-284864, employs a game medium lending machine arranged at one side of the gaming machine, on which a display device (sub display device) is provided. The display device on the game medium lending machine is used to display notification information, which is not related to a game, such as TV programs or advertisements.

However, displaying such notification information has the following problems depending on where it is displayed: (1) in a case where the game is essentially displayed on a display device, if the notification information is displayed on the display device, it disturbs the ongoing game; (2) in a case where the gaming machine has a plurality of display devices (main display device and sub display device), if the game and/or the effect image related to the game are displayed on the main display device and the notification information are displayed on the sub display device so as not to disturb the ongoing game, the notification information displayed on the sub display device hardly draw player's attention and thus has no effect as notification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine with a main display device and a sub display device, which enables notification information to be effectively visible to a player without disturbing a game played by the player.

In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a gaming machine comprising a first display device, a second display device, a game control unit, and a notification information control unit. The game control unit is configured to control a gaming process and output an image display signal to display image related to a game according to the gaming process on at least one of the first display device and the second display device. The notification information control unit is configured to receive notification information from outside the gaming machine and display the received notification information on one of the first display device and the second display device and then on the other one of the first display device and the second display device.

According to the present invention, the game control unit includes: a ROM which stores a program related to the gaming process, and various tables and commands related to the game; a work RAM; and a main CPU which controls the gaming process by outputting various operation commands and an image display signal to an image control unit to control the display image on each display device. Also, the notification information control unit includes: a receiving function to receive notification information transmitted from outside of the gaming machine; and a display function to display the received notification information in a predetermined format on the first display device and then on the second display device. Such functions may be executed by the game control unit or the image control unit which controls the images on the main display device and/or the sub display device, or by a dedicated IC which controls the notification information. Further, the game control unit, the image control unit, and the notification information control unit may be mounted on a same circuit board or on some different circuit boards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a main display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a sub display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an inner control system of the slot machine according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a series of processes for a gaming operation according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a series of processes for displaying notification information according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of the notification information displayed on the main display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machine is described as a slot machine.

There will be described the structure of a slot machine 1 with reference to FIG. 1. The slot machine 1 comprises a cabinet 2, a reel unit (not shown), three reels 3L, 3C, 3R, three display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, a main display device 5, a sub display device 6, a PAID meter 7, an activated payline 8, a BET meter 9, a CREDIT meter 10, a control panel 11, a coin insertion slot 12, an error button 13, a help button 14, a spin button 15, a cash out button 16, a BET button 17, a maximum BET spin button 18, a repeat BET spin button 19, a payout slot 20, a coin tray 21, sound holes 22, 22, and an error lamp 23.

The cabinet 2 forms an outer shape of the slot machine 1. The reel unit is provided inside the cabinet 2 to rotatably support the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R in line. Each reel has a plurality of types of symbols printed on an outer periphery surface thereof. The main display device 5 is mounted on a middle section of the cabinet 2 in front of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R to display effect images according to variably displayed symbols and/or notification information as described later. The three display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are disposed on the main display device 5 so as to expose the symbols on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R therethrough. The main display device 5 is configured as a transmissive liquid crystal display device so that the symbols through the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R are visible to a player.

The sub display device 6 is mounted on an upper section of the cabinet 2 to display information which the player does not always see during the slot game, such as a payout panel, information on a method of controlling the slot game, or information on a special game (e.g. a bonus game).

A display area 5 a on an upper approximate half part of the main display device 5 includes the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, the PAID meter 7, the activated payline 8, the BET meter 9, and the CREDIT meter 10. The PAID meter 7, the BET meter 9 and the CREDIT meter 10 are provided above the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R. The PAID meter 7 indicates a payout on winning in the slot game. The activated payline 8 is drawn horizontally across the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R at their centers. The BET meter 9 indicates the number of coins per 1 BET. The CREDIT meter 10 indicates the number of coins currently accumulated in the slot machine 1. A display area 5 b on a lower approximate half part of the main display device 5, under the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, is an area where the slot game is not played. On the display area 5 b, the notification information is displayed. It is noted that effect images related to the slot game may be displayed on the entire area or a partial area of the main display device 5.

The control panel 11 provided below the main display device 5 has the coin insertion slot 12, the error button 13, the help button 14, the spin button 15, the cash out button 16, the BET button 17, the maximum BET spin button 18, and the repeat BET spin button 19.

The player inserts one or more coins into the coin insertion slot 12. In a case where a trouble occurs to the slot machine 1, if the player presses the error button 13, the error lamp 23 on top of the cabinet 2 turns on to notify a clerk of the trouble. If the player presses the help button 14, the slot machine 1 displays an explanation on a method of controlling the slot game or on the bonus game on the sub display device 6. If the player presses the spin button 15, the slot machine 1 starts rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. If the player presses the cash out button 16, the slot machine 1 pays out coins accumulated therein from the payout slot 20 to the coin tray 21 as described later.

If the player presses the BET button 17, the slot machine 1 bets one or more coins on a current game among from the coins accumulated therein, where one press of the BET button 17 corresponds to betting one coin. A “BET number” represents the number of coins bet per game. If the player presses the maximum BET spin button 18, a maximum number of coins (e.g. 4 coins) is bet on the current game and then the slot machine 1 starts rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. If the player presses the repeat BET spin button 19, the same number of coins as that bet on the previous game are bet on the current game and then the slot machine 1 starts rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

The payout slot 20 and the coin tray 21 are arranged on a lower section of the cabinet 2. One or more coins are paid out from the payout slot 20. Sound from a speaker 43 inside the cabinet 2 is output through the sound holes 22, 22 on both sides of the payout slot 20.

There will be described the structures of the main display device 5 and the sub display device 6 with reference to FIGS. 2, 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, the main display device 5 has a laminate configuration formed on an inner surface of a transparent acrylic board 52 which is a protective cover. The laminate configuration comprises: a picture sheet 53, which is a transparent film on which various pictures are printed; a liquid crystal display device 54, which is a transparent crystal display device on which picture electrodes are disposed; and a light guide panel 33. The display window 4C is formed through the picture sheet 53 and the light guide panel 33 to expose the symbol on the reel 3C. A touch panel 51 is provided on the transparent acrylic board 52. The touch panel 51 detects a coordinate of a point where the player touches.

On an upper side and a lower side of the liquid crystal display device 54, liquid crystal backlights 292, 293 are provided to make the images displayed on the crystal display device 54 clearly visible to the player.

On an upper inside and a lower inside of the main display device 5, symbol lighting lamps 57, 58 are provided to illuminate the symbols on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. When a power is supplied to the symbol lighting lamps 57, 58, they are lighted to make the symbols on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R clearly visible to the player. Although a cold-cathode tube is employed to the symbol lighting lamps 57, 58, the present invention is not limited to this example. At a front inside of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, a lamp housing 62 is provided, where a reel back lamp (not shown) is attached to make the symbol visible to the player.

The pictures on the picture sheet 53 are always visible to the player regardless of an effect control mode of the slot machine 1. The liquid crystal display device 54 is a place on which the slot machine 1 displays the effect images and/or the notification information.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sub display device 6, as well as the main display device 5, has a laminate configuration formed on an inner surface of a transparent acrylic board 65, which comprises a picture sheet 63, a liquid crystal display device 64, and a light guide panel 67. On an upper side and a lower side of the liquid crystal display device 64, liquid crystal backlights 296, 297 are provided. Since no reel is provided behind the sub display device 6, no symbol lighting lamp is provided.

Although the main display device 5 and the sub display device 6 of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment have the liquid crystal displays (LCDs), the present invention is not limited to this example. The display device such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT) or a plasma display may be used. Although the sub display device 6 is arranged on the upper section of the cabinet 2, an appropriate position may be chosen depending on a type of gaming machine, for example the sub display device 6 may be arranged at a side of the gaming area. Another sub display device may be provided on the cabinet 2.

Next, there will be described a structure of a control system and a control of a gaming process with reference to FIG. 4. It is noted that the control system controls the effect images and the notification information displayed on the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6 of the slot machine 1 according to the present invention.

Firstly, the structure of the control system will be described. The control system comprises a main control circuit 71, an image control circuit 171, an output system unit, and an input system unit. The main control circuit 71 controls the gaming process on the slot machine 1. The image control circuit 171 controls images displayed on the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6 according to a control command transmitted from the main control circuit 71.

The main circuit 71 comprises a microcomputer 120, a clock pulse generating circuit 124, a frequency dividing circuit 125, a random number generating circuit 126, and a random number sampling circuit 127. The microcomputer 120 is arranged on a circuit board. The microcomputer 120 comprises a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123. The CPU 121 performs various control operations according to predefined programs stored in the ROM 122. The ROM 122 and the RAM 123 are connected to the CPU 121. The ROM 122 stores the following predefined programs and tables therein; a program for a gaming control of the slot machine 1; a symbol table employed at a time of a determination of the symbols to be aligned along the activated payline 8 at a full stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R; a winning symbols combination table employed at a time of a stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R or at a time of a winning determination after the full stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R; a probability sortition table employed at a time of a determination of symbols to be stopped along the activated payline 8 at a full stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R; and a stop control table.

The clock pulse generating circuit 124 is connected to the frequency dividing circuit 125. The frequency dividing circuit 125, the random number generating circuit 126, and the random number sampling circuit 127 are connected to the CPU 121. The random number generating circuit 126 sequentially generates a random number within a predetermined range. The random number sampling circuit 127 picks an appropriate time to sample the random number after the spin button 15, the maximum BET spin button 18 or the repeat BET spin button 19 is pressed. The CPU 121 reads the probability sortition table from the ROM 122 to the RAM 123, and then determines that the sampled random number belongs to which range in the probability sortition table. According to the determined range to which the sampled random number belongs, the CPU 121 generates a corresponding symbol stop signal to stop the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, so that the determined symbols are stopped along the activated payline 8. It is noted that the random number may be generated and sampled by a calculation at the CPU 121, which works as a random number sampling means.

The output system unit comprises the main display device 5, the sub display device 6, the error lamp 23, a hopper 30, a motor driving circuit 31, a hopper driving circuit 32, a sound source IC 41, a power amplifier 42, the speaker 43, a lamp driving circuit 45, and stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R. The main display device 5, the sub display device 6, the error lamp 23, the hopper 30, the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49 R are employed as peripheral devices (actuators) in the slot machine 1. These actuators are respectively controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 120.

The main display device 5 and the sub display device 6 are connected to an output terminal of an I/O port (not shown) of the CPU 121 through the image control circuit 171. The image control circuit 171 controls the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6 at a time of receiving a control signal from the CPU 121. The error lamp 23 is connected to the output terminal through the lamp driving circuit 45. The lamp driving circuit 45 controls the error lamp 23 at a time of receiving a control signal from the CPU 121. The hopper 30 stores one or more coins (game media) therein and has a drive unit for payout. The hopper 30 is connected to the output terminal through the hopper driving circuit 32. The hopper driving circuit 32 controls the hopper 30 at a time of receiving a control signal from the CPU 121. The stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R respectively rotate the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R are connected to the output terminal through the motor driving circuit 31. The motor driving circuit 31 controls the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R at a time of receiving a control signal from the CPU 121.

The speaker 43 is connected to the output terminal through the sound source IC 41 and the power amplifier 42. The sound source IC 41 generates sound and then controls the power amplifier 42 and the speaker 43 at a time of receiving a control signal from the CPU 121. The power amplifier 42 amplifies the sound from the sound source IC 41 and then outputs the amplified sound to the outside of the slot machine 1 by means of the speaker 43.

The input system unit comprises the coin sensor 12S, the error button 13, the help button 14, the spin button 15, the cash out button 16, the BET button 17, the maximum BET spin button 18, the repeat BET spin button 19, a reel position detecting circuit 34, a coin detecting unit 35, a payout completion signal circuit 36, and the touch panel 51. The coin sensor 12S, the error button 13, the help button 14, the spin button 15, the cash out button 16, the BET button 17, the maximum BET spin button 18, the repeat BET spin button 19 are connected to an input terminal of the I/O port of the CPU 121. Various signals from these buttons are input to the CPU 121 through the input terminal.

The reel position detecting circuit 34 is connected to the input terminal and the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The reel position detecting circuit 34 generates a signal to notify of the CPU 121 a position of respective reels 3L, 3C, 3R at a time of receiving a pulse signal from a reel position detecting device (not shown). The coin detecting unit 35 counts the number of coins paid out from the hopper 35. The payout completion signal circuit 36 is connected to the input terminal and the coin detecting unit 35. When the number of paid out coins reaches a predetermined value, the payout completion signal circuit 36 generates a signal to notify of the CPU 121 a completion of the payout. Various signals generated from these circuits are input to the CPU through the input terminal. The touch panel 51 is provided on the main display device 5 and is connected to the input terminal through the image control circuit 171.

The image control circuit 171 controls the display image on the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6 according to the control signal from the microcomputer 120. The image control circuit 171 comprises an image control program ROM, an image control CPU, an image control work RAM, and an image control IC. The image control program ROM stores an image control program therein. The image control CPU receives an image display signal from the microcomputer 120 and then determines display content on the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6 according to the image control program. When the image control circuit 171 recognizes a coordinate of a point on the touch panel 51 where a player touches, the image control circuit 171 performs a position change of the notification information, a size change of the notification information, or a display switch control between the main display device 5 and the sub display device 6. The microcomputer 120 and the image control circuit 171 work as a notification information control means.

Next, the control of the gaming process will be described. After a rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started, the CPU 121 calculates the number of driving pulse to be fed to each of the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R. Each calculated number of driving pulse is written in a predetermined area in the RAM 123. When each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R goes into a 360-degree roll, the reel position detecting circuit 34 generates a reset pulse and then inputs it into the CPU 121. If the reset pulse is input into the CPU 121, the CPU 121 resets to zero the calculated number of driving pulse corresponding to the reel which goes into the 360-degree roll. Thus, the respective calculated numbers for the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are updated per a 360-degree roll.

The symbol table stored in the ROM 122 links a rotational position of the reel and the symbol. More specifically, in a case where a rotational position in which the reset pulse is generated is taken as a reference position, a code number which is assigned sequentially to every certain rotation pitch of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is associated with a symbol code which represents each symbol assigned to each code number.

The winning symbol combination table stored in the ROM 122 links a combination of symbols for winning, the number of coins to be paid out for winning, and a winning determination code. The winning symbol combination table is employed at a time of a stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R or at a time of a winning determination after the full stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R.

When a sortition process (probability sortition process) according to the above random number sampling provides an internal winning for stop, the CPU 121 sends a signal to the motor driving circuit 31 to stop driving the reels 3L, 3C, 3R according to a position signal sent by the reel position detecting circuit 34 and a selected stop control table.

In a case where all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop so that a combination of the symbols on the activated payline 8 shows a winning mode, when the cash out button 16 is pressed, the CPU 121 sends a payout order signal to the hopper driving circuit 32 to payout a predetermined number of coins from the hopper 30. When the number of coins paid out from the hopper 30 reaches the predetermined number, the CPU 121 receives the coin payout completion signal from the coin detecting unit 35, thereby completing the medal payout process by stopping driving the hopper 30 through the hopper driving circuit 32.

When the microcomputer 120 receives notification information from a notification information server 200 placed outside the slot machine 1, the microcomputer 120 sends the control signal to the image control circuit 171 to display the received notification information on the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6 in a predetermined format. Specifically, when the microcomputer 120 receives character data from the notification information delivery server 200, the microcomputer 120 converts the received character data into the predetermined format to send the converted character data to the image control circuit 171, thereby displaying on the main display 5 and/or the sub display 6. It is noted that the character data may include image data. In this case, the image control program ROM, the image control CPU and the image control work RAM in the image control circuit 171 have functions: to switch the output of the notification information between the main display device 5 and the sub display device 6 after a predetermined times or to change a size of the notification information, to change a display position of the notification information, or to switch the output of the notification information between the main display 5 and the sub display 6, according to the input signal from the touch panel 51.

The notification information corresponds to information which does not directly relate to the slot game, such as information on events held in the game arcade or various advertisements. The notification information delivery server 200 is connected to each gaming machine 1 through a communication means such as a local area network (LAN) laid in the game arcade or the Internet.

Next, there will be described an example of a control procedure with the gaming process on the slot machine 1 with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

Referring to FIG. 5, in S101, the CPU 121 executes an initialization process for starting a slot game. In S102, the CPU 121 enters a wait state to wait for an operation of one of the spin button 15, the maximum BET spin button 18, and the repeat BET spin button 19 by the player. In the wait state, the CPU 121 receives a bet signal from the BET button 17 and/or a detection signal from the coin sensor 12S. At a game starting process, when the CPU 121 receives a game start command from the one of the spin button 15, the maximum BET spin button 18, and the repeat BET spin button 19, the CPU 121 executes the probability sortition process. In S103, the random number sampling circuit 127 samples a random number sequentially generated by the random number generator 127. According to the sampled random number and the probability sortition table, the CPU 121 determines an internal winning combination.

In S104, the CPU 121 executes a stop control process for each reel. Before the CPU 121 drives the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R to start rotating the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, the CPU 121 initializes the predetermined area in the RAM 123. While the stepping motors 49L, 49C, 49R respectively drive the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, the CPU 121 writes rotational positions of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R in the predetermined area in the RAM 123. Then, The CPU 121 determines each of stop positions of the reels 3L, 3C. 3R based on: the internal winning combination obtained at the probability sortition process; the symbol position (the rotational position of each reel); and the stop symbol table selected depending on the internal winning combination. If the CPU 121 determines the stop positions, the CPU 121 stops driving the stepping motor 49L, 49C, 49R so that the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop at the determined stop positions, respectively.

In S105, the CPU 121 executes a winning search process and a credit process or a payout process of the game media according to the symbol combination on a winning line. In S106, the CPU 121 executes a notification information process (see FIG. 6).

It is noted that the notification information process may be executed at any timing during the above sequence of gaming processes and is not limited to a specific timing. Also, it is noted that, in the slot game, the CPU 121 may change a gaming mode into the specific mode (e.g. the bonus game) in which a player can obtain a large amount of coins according to a symbol combination stopped on the winning line.

Referring to FIG. 6, in S201, the CPU 121 determines whether or not notification information is delivered from the notification information delivery server 200. If the notification information is delivered, the CPU 121 displays the delivered notification information on the main display device 5 (in S202). As shown in FIG. 7 the notification information is displayed at an arbitrary place on the lower display area 5 b of the main display device 5. The lower display area 5 b is the area other than the gaming area, such as an area below the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (display position 1), an area at a bottom left of the main display device 5 (display position 2), and an area at a bottom right of the main display device 5 (display position 3). If the notification information is not delivered, the process remains in S201.

In S203, the CPU 121 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed under a state where the delivered notification information is displayed on the main display device 5. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 121 switches the display of the delivered notification information to the sub display device 6 (in S204). In S205, the CPU 121 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed under a state where the switched notification information is displayed on the sub display device 6. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the switched notification information is hidden (in S206). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process remains in S205. When another notification information is delivered, the same process is repeated.

In S203, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 121 determines whether or not the touch panel 51 is operated (in S207). More specifically, in S207, the player can change the display contents of the notification information displayed on the main display device 5 by touching the touch panel 51. If the touch panel 51 is operated, the CPU 121 changes a display position of the notification information and/or a display size of the notification information, and/or switches the display of the notification information to the sub display device 6, according to the operation of the touch panel 51 (in S208). For example, the operation can change to the display position 1 or 2 the position of the notification information displayed on the display position 3 (see FIG. 7), make the size of the display larger (or smaller), or display the notification information on the sub display device 6, according to the player's will.

Next, the advantageous features of the slot machine 1 will be described.

In S204 and S208, as shown in FIG. 1, since a display on a display area 6 a of the sub display device 6 does not disturb the slot game, it is preferable to display the notification information in a larger size than that on the main display device 5. Such display makes the notification information more visible not only to the player but also to other players around the slot machine 1.

In S204, the display of the notification information is switched from the main display device 5 to the sub display device 6 without being left on the main display device 5.

In S207, the player who wishes to see the notification information can have a right of choice, which contributes to increase an advertising effect, rather than only forcibly switching the display of the notification information after a predetermined time has elapsed.

The main display device 5 displays images related to the slot game, or images (e.g. effect images related to the slot game) that are always visible to the player during the slot game. The sub display device 6, which is provided at a different place from the main display device 5, displays images (e.g. images and/or character information) that the player does not always see during the slot game, or supplementary information (e.g. payout information and/or rules of the slot game).

Under this configuration, the notification information is displayed on the main display device 5 and then on the sub display device 6. In this case, the output of the notification information may be automatically switched from the main display device 5 to the sub display device 6. The notification information on the main display device 5 may be displayed at an area other than the gaming area so as not to disturb the slot game, and then displayed on the sub display device 6.

As a result, it is possible to make various notification information effectively visible to a player without disturbing the game on the gaming machine with the first display device and the second display device.

Next, the modifications of the present invention will be described.

The CPU 121 may switch the display of the notification information between the main display device 5 and the sub display device 5, according to the gaming mode (e.g. base mode or bonus mode).

Also, the CPU 121 may display the notification information on the main display device 5 during an interval between an end of one series game and a start of next one series game, and then display the notification information in a smaller size at the area other than the gaming area of the main display device 5, or switch the display of the notification information to the sub display device 6 during the next one series game. If the next one series game is finished, the CPU 121 may display the notification information in a larger size at the gaming area, or switch the display of the notification information to the main display device 5. Such control enables to display the notification information on the main display device 5 in a larger size regardless of the gaming area during the interval.

More specifically, the CPU 121 firstly displays the notification information on the main display device 5 during the interval so that the notification information is displayed to overlap the gaming area (e.g. the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, the BET meter 9, and/or the CREDIT meter 10) or not to overlap the gaming area. In a first case where the notification information overlaps the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R or does not overlap the gaming area, when the CPU 121 receives the game start command from one of the spin button 15, the maximum BET spin button 18, and the repeat BET spin button 19, the CPU 121 displays the notification information at the area other than the gaming area or switches the display of the notification information to the sub display device 6. In a second case where the notification information overlaps the BET meter 9, when the CPU 121 receives the bet signal from the BET button 17, the CPU 121 displays the notification information at the area other than the gaming area or switches the display of the notification information to the sub display device 6. In a third case where the notification information overlaps the CREDIT meter 10, when the CPU 121 receives the detection signal from the coin sensor 12S, the CPU 121 displays the notification information at the area other than the gaming area or switches the display of the notification information to the sub display device 6. It is noted that the priority of these position change signal/command is established in order of the detection signal, the bet signal, and the game start command in a case where the notification information overlaps some of the display windows 4L, 4C, 4R, the BET meter 9, and the CREDIT meter 10.

The notification information delivery server 200 may deliver notification information including character data, image data, and sound data to the microcomputer 120 of the slot machine 1. When the microcomputer 120 receives the above notification information from the notification information delivery server 200, the CPU 121 separates the character data, the image data, and the sound data from the received notification information. The CPU 121 sends the character data and the image data to the image control circuit 171 to display the notification information on the main display device 5 and/or the sub display device 6. The CPU 121 sends the sound data to the sound source IC 41 to output sound through the speaker 43. The sound is output through the speaker 43 in conjunction with the display of the notification information. This helps to draw the player's attention, thereby more increasing the advertising effect. It is noted that the notification information may be compressed. In this case, the CPU 121 uncompresses the compressed notification information and separates the character data, the image data, and the sound data. This can reduce a load of the communication means such as a local area network (LAN) laid in the game arcade or the Internet.

Although the CPU 121 switches the display of the notification information to the sub display device 6 after the notification information is displayed on the main display device 5 in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to leave the notification information on the main display device 5. Such configuration enables the notification information to be always visible to the player. Also, since the notification information is displayed at an arbitrary area other than the gaming area, it does not disturb the ongoing game.

Although the CPU 121 hides the notification information on the sub display device 6 after the predetermined time has elapsed in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to leave the notification information all the time on the sub display device 6.

The CPU 121 may scroll-display the notification information on the main display device 5 or the sub display device 6.

The notification information may be colored to be more visible.

Although the notification information input into the microcomputer 120 is firstly displayed on the main display device 5 in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to display firstly on the sub display device 6 in a larger size and then on the main display device 5 after a predetermined time has elapsed or between an end of one series game and a start of next one series game.

Displaying the notification information firstly on the sub display device 6 enables the notification information to be visible to other players around the slot machine 1. Then, displaying the notification information on a predetermined area other than the gaming area on the main display device 5 that the player watches during the game, enables the notification information to be visible to the player without disturbing the game.

It is possible to provide a change button on the cabinet 2 besides the touch panel 51 on the main display device 5, as a change means by which the player can changes a display mode on the main display device 5. It is further possible not to provide such means so as not to allow to change the display mode.

It is possible to modify the disposition or the structure of the main display device 5 and the sub display device 6 depending on the types of the gaming machines. For example, on the above slot machine 1, the main display device 5 may be provided on a lower part or a side of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The area where the notification information is displayed may be any position within the main display device 5.

It is possible to apply the present invention to various types of gaming machines which each has a main display device 5 which the player always watches during the game and a sub display device 6 which is other than the main display device 5. At a table unit which has a plurality of gaming units such as a card game and a horse racing game, the sub display device 6 may be used as a common display device for the table unit. 

1. A gaming machine comprising: a first display device; a second-display device; a game control unit configured to control a gaming process and output an image display signal to display image related to a game according to the gaming process on at least one of the first display device and the second display device; and a notification information control unit configured to receive notification information from outside the gaming machine and display the received notification information on one of the first display device and the second display device and then on the other one of the first display device and the second display device.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit displays the received notification information on the first display device and then on the second display device.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit displays the received notification information on the second display device and then on the first display device at a predetermined area, which is other than a gaming area.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit displays the received notification information on the first display device at a predetermined area, which is other than a gaming area.
 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit displays the received notification information in a larger size on the second display device than that on the first display device.
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit switches an output of the displayed notification information between the first display device and the second display device.
 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit switches an output of the displayed notification information between the first display device and the second display device when the notification information control unit receives one of a game start signal and a game stop signal, from the game control unit.
 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a change unit configured to change a display mode of the received notification information, wherein when the notification information control unit receives a display mode change signal from the change unit, the notification information control unit executes one of the following functions: changing a display size of the notification information on the first display device; changing a display position of the notification information on the first display device; and switching an output of the displayed notification information between the first display device and the second display device according to the received display mode change signal.
 9. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information control unit displays the received notification information in conjunction with a sound output through a speaker. 